8/23/25 - Our Summer Sale ends August 31st, so be sure to take advantage of current pricing!

 

8/15/25 - CHANGING DCC ADDRESSES FOR OUR N6L AND N6R ACCESSORY DECODERS WITH MAGNETIC PROGRAMMING

 

When you put a DCC accessory decoder inside a turnout, you might think it would be harder to program a new DCC address, especially after your tracks are set. Not so, and instead, we made the decoder touch-free and magnetically programmable. Here's how:

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1. Place a magnet over the turnout in line with the cable openings (no longer needed), centered across the rails. Move closer if necessary.

2. Note the green glow visible where the roadbed grips the rails and at the cable openings at either side of the roadbed

3. Using your favorite command station / throttle, send an accessory command using the address you want for that turnout

4. Done - wasn't that simple? No extra buttons, wires, jumpers or crawling under a table.

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Extra Features and Benefits:

 

Use the flexibility of "programming on the main" to enable, block, or completely disable this feature. Here's how:

 

1. We made a setting called CV35 to control magnetic programming

2. Use the turnout's specific address for single programming or address 2044 to enable / block / disable programming for all N6 turnouts at once

3. Program CV35 to 100 and you "ENABLE" magnetic programming; approach the turnout with a magnet and the green internal LED glows continuously. This indicates you are ready to program a new address.

4. Program CV35 to 0 and you "BLOCK" magnetic programming; approach the turnout with a magnet and the green internal LED flashes. Although this mode prevents address programming, you can test whether unexpected magnets on locomotives or rolling stock are strong enough to be detected. If so, please use the "DISABLE" mode described next.

5. Program CV35 to any number other than "0" or "100" and you completely "DISABLE" magnetic programming so that even when you approach the turnout with a magnet, the green internal LED remains "OFF". Use this setting if you see interaction with magnets on locomotives with speakers or rolling stock for whatever reason. We haven't seen random magnetic fields strong enough in N scale.

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Note: Magnetic programming is intended to be a simple way to reprogram the DCC accessory decoder address a turnout responds to without having to access the decoder board to set switches, short wires or manage CV settings directly. For the modelers benefit, however, using magnetic programming updates CV settings that are used for the 2 address parts involved, namely CV1 and CV9.

 

7/27/25 - Customized Accessory Decoders for Kato Turnouts

 

Our accessory decoders are purpose-built to fit (inside) Kato Unitrack turnouts using the original rail contacts, and connections to the actuator coil. For N scale we build decoders for Kato #4 and #6 turnouts and for HO we build decoders for Kato #6 turnouts. These decoders are customized down to having mirror image circuit boards for right-hand and left-hand turnouts. Then there are plug-compatible signals, missing in most layouts, for #6 turnouts in N and HO scale,

 

Possibly The Easiest Address Programming Method and More

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We design our accessory decoders to fit inside turnouts to eliminate wires and add cool features at the turnout. Out of the box, the first thing you want to do is program the DCC address for each turnout’s accessory decoder. Instead of crawling under your layout, twisting wires, or pushing seldom used buttons, how about capturing the address for our N6R and N6L decoders with a magnet held over the turnout while you send the address you want it to have. Because there can be unexpected magnetic fields, as around speakers in sound-equipped locos, we also have magnetic programming disable. And with a broadcast configuration setting, you can disable addresses programming for all turnouts and re-enable them only when you want to using “programming on the main”.

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Then there are broadcast configuration settings to easily adjust turnout signal intensity for all signals at once, using separate commands for RED and GREEN LEDs with 250 intensity levels. Find the brightness level you like best. There’s a lot you can do from inside a turnout. Finally, we bundle signals with our decoders in several 4-pack combinations to save you money.

 

A Description of How Our Decoders Work Inside a Turnout  

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Imagine having a complex layout with lots of turnouts and signals that’s easy to set up and take apart – “because we eliminate external cables”. From inside a turnout, our boards get easy connections to DCC power from the rails, even passing power along to the unpowered rail sections in a Kato #6 N scale turnout. These decoder boards also sit right next to the coil that needs to be driven in response to a model railroader's commands so that hook-up is easy too. And finally, we allow you to plug in our modular dwarf signals by repurposing the original, unmodified cable opening to allow the signal to pass through and reach a mating connector. Few model train buffs have operational turnout signals but think of how these would allow you to navigate complex yard or main line turnouts (without derailing) because you can see the ones not aligned for your train. Good thing, since the wrong turnout position will short circuit your command station with an abrupt stop in the action, a real bummer! 

 

Setup Your Permanent or Temporary Layout with “No Wires”

 

So, while our "Inside Track" decoders grab power and actuate the turnout mechanism internally, they connect to signals through existing openings in Kato HO and N scale turnouts and eliminate 3 sets of wires, "Cutting the crap out of sectional track"! And you won't need as many power feeds as you have now since the updated turnout is an asset to power delivery rather than an impediment, without requiring a feeder per turnout as some suggest. That train yard you want to build is as easy as pie without wires, drilled holes, ducking under tables and confusion.​ Can you identify the 3 sets of wires you no longer need:

1. The cable that comes with the turnout to control the actuator mechanism.

2. The cable that many veteran model railroaders suggest you connect to the 2 inner rails at the frog end of the Kato N scale #6 turnout. These are alternately powered by an internal switch that controls frog polarity as well. It is popular to add a feeder wire pair with UniJoiners to provide always-on power to both rails and pass it along.

3. A cable to control a 2-color signal for each turnout. Signals are absent in most layouts and often not easy to install.

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Easily Evolve Your Digital Layout

 

Now that you've gone digital with your model train layout, have you taken the next step by adding turnouts to break free from running in circles? Don't forget to consider how you will control turnouts. Our decoders allow a simple board swap without the hassle of any extra wiring. To further enhance your layout, our dwarf and arrow signals provide improved navigation through every area including intricate train yards. We invite you to explore our full product line of turnout decoders for Kato Unitrack, available individually and as convenient kits bundled with signals.

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We Offer Ready-to-Run Kato N scale #6 Turnouts

 

For those who prefer a ready-to-run solution, we now offer installation of our N6 decoders with NDSX33 slim dwarf signals for a special price of $65. This offer includes a brand-new Kato #6 turnout. You can order any quantity of these pre-installed units. Experience the convenience of an automated Kato #6 turnout with a signal that clearly indicates your route through your great layout!

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7/15/25 - Despite rising costs, our sale pricing will continue indefinitely.

 

5/6/25 - We are pleased to announce our Decoder Installation Program where we will install our N6 decoders into Kato #6 turnouts. 

 

5/6/25 - We have also released our N-Scale product catalog as a new download.

 

3/20/25 - Introducing the new NDSX33 Slim Dwarf signal, specifically designed to fit 33mm center-to-center track spacing!

 

11/29/24 - Introducing our new NDSX Dwarf N scale signal working trackside with our also new N6R accessory decoder!​​

 

12/26/23 - While developing our drop-in accessory decoders, we were troubled by how difficult it was to see if turnouts were thrown or closed. This led to the development of signal offerings for our HO decoders. These signals, in dwarf (DSL and DSR) and horizontal matrix arrow HSL and HSR) forms are now ready for sale. Please keep in mind that they are compatible with our H6L and H6R Kato HO #6 decoders and turnouts only. Kato made these turnouts with an opening allowing access to a 6-pin male header style connector, which Proto Design Labs has repurposed as a "Trackside Port.” Our dwarf and horizontal matrix arrow style signals plug into existing HO #6 turnouts, which have been modified with our H6 accessory decoders. You don't have to reopen the turnout or run wires to it for the signal function to work - just plug it into your modified turnout. And now you can "See Where Your Trains Are Going.”

 

5/10/23 - Proto Design Labs is pleased to announce our H6 decoders, available immediately! Like our N4 these are “drop-in accessory decoders” and are made to fit inside a Kato HO #6 turnouts. No messy wires spread across your layout for power and coil hookup to an external decoder board. Uniquely, H6 has a trackside connector for attaching turnout signals and local control switches.

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2/17/23 - Check out our product mention in the March 2023 issue of Model Railroader magazine (pg. 13)!

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1/28/23 - Check out our new video section! First video features the N4L Accessory Decoder Installation, Test and Address Change.​

 

1/10/23 - The names of our accessory decoders are meant to be informative.

• N4L means N Scale, #4, left-hand turnout compatible accessory decoder

• N4R means N Scale, #4, right-hand turnout compatible accessory decoder

• N6L means N Scale, #6, left-hand turnout compatible accessory decoder

• N6R means N Scale, #6, right-hand turnout compatible accessory decoder

• H6L means HO Scale, #6, left-hand turnout compatible accessory decoder

• H6R means HO Scale, #6, right-hand turnout compatible accessory decoder